“Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel” represents an example of modern day antisemitism, according to the EUMC Working Definition, a perfect example of what’s known as the new antisemitism, as it evokes the classic Judeophobic narrative ‘accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for the alleged wrongdoing committed by a single Jew or Jewish group’.
To boot, the following Tweet by Indy contributor Mira Bar-Hillel:
@Jeremy_Newmark If they can find their way through the bodies of all the women and children you bombed last night, that is.
— Mira Bar-Hillel (@mirabarhillel) July 20, 2014
Then there was this response:
@Jeremy_Newmark Yes, YOU. Without your unconditional support this carnage would not be possible.
— Mira Bar-Hillel (@mirabarhillel) July 20, 2014
We should point out (in the context of Bar-Hillel’s accusation to that “you” bombed women and children) that Mr. Newmark is a British Jew and not an Israeli.
To provide a little context, Ms. Bar-Hillel’s polemical history at the Indy has included the following:
- She strongly suggested that Jews (per the Livingstone Formulation) often smear people unfairly with the charge of antisemitism to “gag into submission any critic of Israel”.
- She evoked Nazi Germany in characterizing Israeli racism and IDF military actions in Gaza.
- She admitted to being prejudiced against Jews.
Regarding her acknowledgement of being prejudiced against Jews, here’s the full quote
The Jews of today scare me and I find it almost impossible to talk to most of them, including relatives. Any criticism of the policies of Israel – including the disgraceful treatment of Holocaust survivors as well as refugees from murderous regimes – is regarded as treason and/or anti-Semitism. Most papers and journals will not even publish articles on the subject for fear of a Jewish backlash. Goyim (gentiles ) are often treated with ill-concealed contempt, yet the Jews are always the victims. Am I prejudiced against Jews? Alas, yes.”
Yet, despite Ms. Bar-Hillel’s concern that “most papers and journals will not even publish articles on the subject for fear of a Jewish backlash”, she continues to be published by the Independent, a paper which just last year wrote a spirited editorial claiming that “neither Israel nor the broader Jewish community is demonised by this newspaper”.
Sorry, but when, as an editor for a major UK daily, you make the decision to license a commentator who admits to being prejudiced against Jews – and one who continues to advance Judeophobic calumnies on your op-ed pages – your righteous indignation over charges of antisemitism ring a little hollow.